The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) will host the 3rd UNESCO World Open Educational Resources (OER) Congress, themed 'Digital Public Goods: Open Solutions and AI for Inclusive Access to Knowledge'. The congress is scheduled to take place at Dubai World Trade Centre on November 19-20, 2024. This event is organized by UNESCO and takes place in the framework of the Knowledge Summit 2024, an initiative co-organized by MBRF in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
This will be the very first time when UNESCO World OER Congress will take place in the Arab region. During this congress, there will be approximately 500 senior representatives from the education, digital services, and communications sectors that include ministers, high-ranking officials, and decision-makers.
Bringing together policymakers, educators, and innovators from across the world, the congress will open avenues to explore the transformative potential of Open Educational Resources (OER) in advancing equitable access to knowledge.
The Congress will explore how OER can be leveraged to advance global digital collaboration, in line with UNESCO’s 2019 recommendation. Participants will engage in in-depth discussions on best practices, innovations, and strategies to scale the impact of OER. A key focus will be on collaborative approaches to broaden access to OER worldwide.
The congress will further establish guidelines to promote openly licensed content and tackle challenges arising from AI and other emerging technologies. Discussions will conclude with the Dubai Declaration for Action on OER, outlining concrete steps to advance inclusive and equitable quality education.
Many countries have made exceptional progress in implementing UNESCO’s OER recommendations, with their initiatives set to be highlighted at the congress. For instance, in Cuba, the Virtual Health University transformed healthcare education by providing flexible, accessible, OER-based learning for professionals, even in remote areas. Furthermore, Madagascar addressed exceptionally to COVID-19 challenges by launching an e-learning platform, distributing tablets, and utilizing radio broadcasts to bridge digital divides in primary education. In addition, Malaysia’s inclusive OER Policy ensures accessible resources to all, supported by the government for educator training and technology investment. Meanwhile, Morocco’s 2024 national strategy for OER and Open Science aims to modernize education and expand research accessibility, driven by strong engagement from educators. These initiatives showcase diverse approaches to advancing equitable access to knowledge through OER across different contexts.
This congress strictly follows the aims of the Knowledge Summit, which has evolved as the first global platform for sharing knowledge, know-how, and success stories. While sparking deliberation, the summit is the preferred platform for the presentation of new ideas as well as sharp insights. It brings forth the best practices, gives practical solutions to pressing issues that it introduces in the world, and thus it is one important meeting of stakeholders from every nook and corner of the world.
